The following is a roundup of recent events pertaining to hospital-union relationships, including strikes, legal battles, rallies and new contract agreements. All events were reported since July 1.
1. Allina, nurses union fail to reach agreement following latest talks
Minneapolis-based Allina Health and the union that represents 4,800 of its Twin Cities hospital nurses were unsuccessful in reaching a contract agreement during their negotiating session July 22, according to a Star Tribune report. The report states both sides traded counteroffers, and Allina eventually agreed to retain two of the union health plans. But talks stalled because both sides could not agree on funding for the rising costs of those union plans.
2. Nathan Littauer Hospital to pay nurses back wages following January lockout
Gloversville, N.Y.-based Nathan Littauer Hospital will pay unionized nurses back wages after locking them out following a one-day strike at the hospital in January, the New York State Nurses Association announced. The news came roughly three months after the National Labor Relations Board determined it would prosecute Nathan Littauer Hospital over its decision to lock out the nurses for four days following the strike. The union claims the NLRB found the hospital violated the law. But hospital spokeswoman Cheryl G. McGrattan denied that allegation and said in a statement the hospital "made the business decision to resolve the matter and move forward with the goal of achieving a fair and reasonable new collective bargaining agreement with the union."
3. Ocean Beach Hospital nurses to vote on tentative contract agreement
Unionized nurses and Ilwaco, Wash.-based Ocean Beach Hospital have reached a tentative contract agreement, according to a Chinook Observer report. The agreement includes a 3 percent across-the-board wage increase for each year of the three-year contract.
4. Brigham and Women's Faulkner nurses to picket amid contract negotiations
Nurses at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital in Boston planned to picket July 22. The nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, are negotiating a new contract. Union officials said there has been some progress in negotiations, but wages, security, benefits and staffing remain sticking points, according to a Boston Business Journal report.
5. Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses give final OK to contract agreement
Nurses at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital ratified a tentative contract agreement reached in June that averted a planned strike. The 3,300 nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, voted July 20 to approve a three-year agreement.
6. Heritage Valley Health System nurses strike over working conditions, benefits
Nurses at Heritage Valley Beaver (Pa.) Health System began a previously announced one-day strike July 19, according to a WESA report. The workers are demanding better working conditions and benefits.
7. Lake Superior Community Health Center physicians, colleagues land union contract: 4 things to know
United Steelworkers Local 9460 won its first union contract for workers at Lake Superior Community Health Center in Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis., according to a Labor World report. Workers covered by the contract include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and behavioral health therapists.
8. Kaiser Permanente nurses to picket at 7 California hospitals
Nurses affiliated with Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente planned to picket July 20 at seven Kaiser hospitals in California over what they say is unsafe staffing and eroding standards of patient care, California Nurses Association officials announced. CNA represents more than 18,000 registered nurses and nurse practitioners at 87 Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics across California.
9. Kaleida Health unions ratify new labor contracts
Three unions that represent employees at Buffalo, N.Y.-based Kaleida Health ratified a new three-year agreement, according to Kaleida Health officials. The contract covers nearly 7,500 unionized employees. It also outlines employees' wage increases, the hiring of additional frontline staff and changes to certain work rules to better serve patients.
10. Maine nurses plan strike
Unionized nurses at The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, Maine, notified the hospital of their plans to strike for two days over staffing concerns, according to a Bangor Daily News report. The workers, represented by the Maine State Nurses Association, delivered a 10-day advanced notice of their plan to strike July 22 and 23.
11. Mercy Hospital workers' vote authorizes strike
Workers at Catholic Health's Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., voted 96 percent in favor of strike authorization, according to WIVB. This means the 2,200 nurses, technologists, service and clerical workers, represented by Communications Workers of America Local 1133, have the authority to call a strike if they so choose. However, it does not mean a strike will take place.
12. Nurses protest over staffing at Saint Louis University Hospital
Dozens of nurses at Saint Louis University Hospital picketed July 11 over staffing levels at the facility, according to a St. Louis Public Radio report. The workers, represented by the hospital's chapter of National Nurses United, claim staffing levels at the hospital are unsafe, particularly in the intensive care units.
13. Indiana Nurses Association files unfair labor practice charge
The Indiana Nurses Association filed an unfair labor complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Indiana (Pa.) Regional Medical Center, according to The Indiana Gazette. In early February, IRMC proposed what it called its "last, best and final" offer, which included a new health insurance plan and a 3.5 percent wage increase in the contract with the union. The INA said it didn't take a vote on the proposal and instead asked IRMC not to halt negotiations. But according to the union, nothing happened. The INA claims it "offered additional dates to bargain, all of which were rejected by the hospital," according to a news release cited in the Gazette. So in early May, union leaders were authorized to strike. In mid-June, IRMC said negotiations had reached impasse. But the union claims IRMC autonomously implemented the health insurance change July 1, according to TribLive.com.
More articles on human capital and risk:
Nathan Littauer Hospital to pay nurses back wages following January lockout
Baptist Health South Florida offers buyouts to reduce workforce: 4 things to know
Ocean Beach Hospital nurses to vote on tentative contract agreement